Chapter Eight
Whoop de doo, I'm writing another chapter. Hope you like it. I'm trying to mix it up, so let me see if you find this one funny at all. Humor is good for the soul. And so is bread- Mm, bread.
Patty cake rocks: Dang girl, you ratchet. Being like Katara and all.
Luckyschoolgirl: It's going to be described by another character's POV a little later in the fanfic. Thanks for the help, though!
Aaliyah92: Ah, the joys of Zuko's obliviousness.
Nereids: You make me blush! Thanks for the review, following, and such. You rock!
Avatar Kyoshi: Yes… Iroh knowing… interesting…
So in this there's this lovely nice and warm little bit between Katara and Kyochi. I have always been against pairing anyone with an OC, but if you don't like Kyochi (for some odd reason, I absolutely adore the boy), you won't love this chapter. But they're just friends, no worries. Once you know someone really well, you know when they need a hug. That's all that really happens.
And if you haven't really noticed, Kyochi's becoming a little bit more than a small character. I just can't help it, the boy's just so adorable.
I like bread, and I like Avatar. But what a shame it is that I don't own Avatar.
We see water as a calm element, easily adapting to problems and a key factor in our lives. We perceive it as predictable and soothing. But this is the brighter side of water. The same element brings death and destruction, in the form of tsunamis. Water is a raging force, with tide predictions fluctuating and mainly inaccurate. Water is independent, with the abilities to put out fires, soil land, and mist the air. We see air as the element of freedom, but no one can own the sea. There are no lines in the ocean, because the water is too fickle and uncontrollable to be tamed and mastered. No, water is not soothing. Water is a powerful beast, passing off as a beautiful, settled masterpiece.
Katara's alarm clock wore her the next morning. Without thinking, she swung her arm out to turn off her alarm and heard a pop from her shoulder. Swearing, she remembered what had happened the night before and went to check her collarbone in the mirror. Sliding her shirt off her shoulder, she peeked through her eyelashes at her reflection. Seeing the visible bump and swelling, she felt around until she could tell how bad the break really was. Gently pushing the bone back into a better position, she went behind her mirror to get prescriptions from her medicine cabinet. Spreading her chosen drug in her hand, she read the label: morphine. Popping two into her mouth and stuffing the rest in her backpack, she silently thanked the gods that she had her own bathroom. How on Earth would I explain where I got all of those prescriptions? She wondered, picturing the dozens of bottles she had behind that mirror. There was no way she would ever use any of them for anything but it's intended purpose, but that's not what anyone else would think. But the pressing topic on Katara's mind was much more relevant: how on Earth am I going to shower?
Eventually, Katara found a method to getting ready. She would do her best to use her right hand to do whatever she needed to do, while her rather useless left arm would stay at her side. But as the admittedly large dose of morphine kicked in, Katara's actions got a bit slower and she didn't realize how much time had passed until it was ten minutes before she needed to leave. Freaking out, she put on a large sweater, leggings, and mismatched socks before skidding into Sokka's room, almost slipping on the hardwood floors. "Sokka, it's time to wake up!" She yelled, spraying his blanket with her Nerf gun.
Irritated, Sokka looked at his baby sister. Holding his doorframe for support, his usually perfect little sister was wearing a giant sweater, leggings, and two of the ugliest socks he'd ever seen. "Are you not going to accessorize at all?" He asked, slightly irritated that she wasn't using the green bag he'd spent forever finding for her last Christmas. Crap, Christmas is coming soon. What on Earth am I going to get her? Glancing at the clock, he yelped a little. "We gotta go, Katara! Put on some shoes!"
Rushing around the house to find some sort of representable outfit, Sokka slid on a tee shirt and some plain jeans before watching Katara rush past him, fixing her hair into a bun. Sokka noticed that she had found a pair of Uggs to put on, and realized he was the one that needed to put on shoes. Almost falling down the stairs, he found Katara fervently making two omelets and decided to not ask for her help to find his shoes. Eventually he found a pair, and picked up his omelet before scrambling into the car. Searching for the keys, he realized that they'd need to go pick up Zuko. Groaning, her swore under his breath and pulled out of the driveway. "Hope that Zuko likes being late to school."
Not seeing his usual ride outside of the Jasmine Dragon, Zuko scratched his head. It was about the time Katara usually came to get him, so where was she? Hearing a honk from a nearby car, Zuko recognized Sokka and Katara sitting in Sokka's car. Realizing he was still in his apron, Zuko blushed profusely. Keeping his head down while he got in the car, he tried his best to ignore the laughing of Sokka in the driver's seat. As the car started, Sokka's laughter died down the smallest bit so he could get some words out.
"Zuko… I didn't know you were really into aprons, bro. Not a good look." Sokka barely managed to get out, in tears over the whole affair. Though Sokka's watery eyes made it hard for him to see and he was swerving a bit on the road, the trio didn't really mind. This road was always quiet; most of the roads in their town were. The laughter of Sokka and Katara filled the car, but Zuko turned on the radio; somehow making Katara and Sokka laugh even harder.
For a second, Zuko just listened to Katara laugh. She managed to smile and giggle a lot, but rarely did Zuko ever hear Katara actually laugh. It was a kind laugh that sounded nothing like Zuko had heard since his mom left his life. Mai almost never laughed, but the few times she did she was always condescending, and her laugh sounded haughty and cruel. But Katara's laugh sounded like little bells, and it was a musical and very happy sound. For a tiny moment, it made Zuko smile too. But then her realized exactly what he was smiling at and shook the feeling away. He was just glad he didn't have any classes with the girl, so he didn't have to deal with her laugh or any apron jokes.
Sokka was dying at this point. "So Zuko, do you ever work with just the apron on? I bet the girls find that tea-rrific!" Cracking up, he barely managed to park in a parking space without hitting another car. "I bet they're real fans of that nudi-tea! I'm sorry, I can't stop teasing you. Now that was a good one!" He laughed, even though the two people walking beside him weren't laughing anymore. Seeing that he was the last one to be amused by his jokes, he sighed. "It's a shame you don't realize my true potential. I am a God."
Going to lunch wasn't on Zuko's to do list today. Walking past the lunchroom, he exited the school and found Sokka's car. Hopping in, he grabbed the keys from under the seat where Sokka hid them and started the car. Sorry, Sokka. But I have to go meet someone. After driving for a couple minutes, he arrived at the gym. Nervously opening the doors, he went straight to the weight room. If that guy isn't here, I don't know where he would be. Searching the room for a few seconds, it didn't take long to find the guy he was looking for. Approaching the man, Zuko tried to act as confident as possible. Looking the guy in the eye, Zuko decided to get straight to the point. "I want to kickbox."
Kyochi sighed. He was hoping to have a really good day in the gym, until this kid showed up. He wanted to kickbox, so Kyochi ran a couple things with him. He was actually a decent guy, and Kyochi wouldn't mind seeing him around in the ring. In all honesty, the guy could actually give him a run for his money in a year or two. But after they had finished, he started to actually talk to the guy to see what he was like. As it turned out, the guy was still in high school. He'll be graduating after this year. Out of curiosity, he asked him if he knew Katara. And sadly, he did. And he knew Katara would never allow him to be let into the ring. If he didn't know her, he would've started training him on the spot. Maybe she'll let me bring him in. Maybe if she saw how good he could be, she'd give him a chance.
"There is no way in hell, Kyochi." Katara said, angrily slamming her car door closed as hard as she could with one hand. Why would he ask me that? He knows how I feel about my friends and fighting. Her friends could all handle themselves and she loved them all greatly, but she would never drag them into such a dangerous world. Ignoring the teen as he tried to talk to her, she tried to walk into the bakery shop.
Kyochi grabbed her shoulder and tried to turn her around. Seeing her drop to the sidewalk in agony, Kyochi immediately began to worry. Kneeling down, he didn't need to ask if she was okay. Gently tugging her sweater so that the shoulder showed, he grimaced at the swelling. "Kat, this one looks sort of bad. Are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?" He asked, helping the girl up.
Katara shook her head vehemently. "What are they going to say? 'Ma'am, your collarbone is broken. You need to rest.' I already know that it's broken, and there's no way I'm resting it." She said, setting her backpack behind the counter. Switching the sign to Open, she sat down on a stool and looked thoughtfully at Kyoshi. "However, if you insist on helping me, there is this one thing you could do." She said deviously.
Kyochi's face reddened immensely as Katara's nimble fingers tied the apron around his waist and handed him a colorful potholder. "So basically, I just take things out of ovens?" He asked wishfully, hoping that this embarrassing task wouldn't turn into a confusing and Kitchen Aid involving one. I don't know how to add four and a half tablespoons of vanilla extract! What on Earth is vanilla extract?
Katara laughed gleefully. "You can't wear that apron and not expect to bake things! I'll hand you a few recipes, and all you have to do is bake them for me. I'll take care of all of the scary customers." She teased, tossing him a binder filled with recipes. "We're running out of cookies, so you should bake some. Make two recipes with stars beside the names; those are our popular recipes. And while you're at it, make something we don't already have out. Yell out the names, and I'll write them on the blackboard." She said, referring to the menu hanging above her.
Kyochi grumbled while flipping through the book, saying something under his breath about binders full of women. "I'll make sugar cookies, chocolate chip, and Samoans." He said seriously, trying to figure out how to work a standing mixer. "Where on Earth is the flour? This place is a labyrinth!" Exasperated, Kyochi sat spread eagle, face down, on the tile behind the counter.
Katara let out a giggle before getting off her stool. "Kyochi, this labyrinth is so organized Martha Stewart would be proud." She said, swinging open the large pantry doors behind her. "Flour is under f, and the all purpose flour is the first one." Handing him the heavy bag, she looked at the recipes. "It's all in there. And standing mixers are sort of the easiest things in the world to work." Switching on the mixer for explanation, Katara rolled her eyes when she realized Kyochi was still on the floor. "You are the laziest person I have ever met in my life."
Kyochi got up, pouting a little. "I can probably do this, but where is everyone? Why are there no customers? Or helpers, so that I can actually understand what I'm doing?" He asked while making puppy eyes at Katara. Maybe my seductive powers can get me out of this manual labor.
Slapping Kyochi upside the head, Katara got out measuring cups. "Well, a lot of our customers come after they get off of work, so I usually bake fresh cookies and breads when no one's here so it doesn't feel as deserted. And the people coming from high school that come here after school usually don't get here as fast as I do, so for half an hour or two we'll probably be the only people in the bakery. But if you honestly think we can afford to have other employees, you are out of your mind. My grandmother has to work another job right now, which is why she's never here in the afternoons." She explained for the umpteenth time to her forgetful friend. It gets so lonely in here, Kyochi. But it's a great place to just think.
Having the same train of thought as Katara, Kyochi lifted one of his bushy eyebrows. "So we're all alone, for an hour or so, with no chances whatsoever of anyone coming?" Kyochi whispered, dropping his voice even lower than usual and messing with her hair. But in all honesty, it must be so lonely for her to sit here after school every day. Maybe I should stop by more often. "Wait, why would Kanna have to work another job? Between your dad's checks and your cash, you guys should have more than enough money."
Hugging herself on the little wooden stool, Katara sighed. "Dad's checks aren't much, and not having him here is reason enough to want to keep you busy. She doesn't have to worry about everything as much when she has to focus on keeping us all afloat. And as for my money, it's all going to have to go towards Sokka's and my college. Sokka wants to be an engineer, Kyochi. Do you know how expensive school is?" She asked, freaking out a little over discussing the topic.
Kyochi frowned. "It's a lot to handle, isn't it Tara?" He asked, putting the mixer on low and walking up behind her. Wrapping his strong arms around Katara's tiny body, he sighed. Why does she have to go through all of this? She's too young for all of this responsibility. "We'll find a way to handle it, Katara. You know I'll always be here for you." He offered, trying to cheer up his best friend.
Katara snuggled into his warm grip before saying anything. As long as Kyochi's here beside me, I guess that it's okay. Deciding against keeping Kyochi selfishly for herself, she laughed. "Get back to making cookies, Kyochi."
Zuko stumbled into his room with his dinner, exhausted beyond comprehension. When he walked up to the man, called Kyochi, Zuko thought he was going to be lucky to get a conversation or even a look from the ripped guy. But for some reason, Kyochi had stopped what he was doing and had taken an interest in the boy. He had run with him, benched weights with him, and watched as Zuko hit a punching bag. And even more interestingly, Kyochi had asked about his life. Apparently, Kyochi knew Katara too. Zuko guessed they were cousins, relying on the fact that they were both tan, had dark hair, and had blue eyes. It was weird, though. Kyochi had deflated a little when Zuko said that he knew Katara. Taking out his phone and setting down his plate, he decided to text her.
Zuko: hey
Katara: hey, what's up?
Zuko: do you know Kyochi?
Katara: yeah, he's my cousin.
Zuko: he's a nice guy.
Katara: you aren't going to kickbox.
Zuko swore. How does she even know that?! Sighing, he realized that there was no way on Earth that he would be allowed to kickbox without losing Katara. Besides, kickboxing wasn't like him. It was too physical, and relied more on agility and stamina than accuracy. Now accuracy was Zuko could do. Picking up the knife off of his plate, he looked at a bug on is wall. Taking the knife in his hand, he sent it careening towards the wall. Seeing the splat of the now dead bug, Zuko smiled before shaking his head. After that day, Zuko would never touch a sword or a gun again. It was too dangerous, and he would never hurt another person again. And staring at that kitchen knife stuck in his wall, Zuko realized he would never kickbox. He would watch it, sure. But Zuko was far too reckless to ever allow himself hold a weapon or give himself the knowledge to hurt another person. Haven't I hurt enough people?
What on Earth is poor Zuko talking about? Who has he hurt? But this is the first time I've ever really let Kyochi and Katara talk for an extended amount of time, and in all honesty I absolutely loved it. It was the cutest, nicest thing ever. But don't worry guys, they'll never get together. Because then they'd have to break up and I couldn't bring myself to break their hearts. Or could I? Mwahahahahaha! Just kidding, I have a soul. So please review. Tell me if you liked it, and what you want to see more of in the next chapters. Influence me!
R&R!
